Aviva Fried with AFP / Photo credits: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
“Thank you, I love you all,” said Donald Trump after his clear victory in Iowa in the first of the Republican primaries. The 77-year-old tycoon, four times criminally charged, leaves his main rivals Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley far behind with 51% of the votes, according to almost final results. He is thus getting closer to a probable final duel with Democrat Joe Biden, the current occupant of the White House.
Iowa occupies a prominent place on the American political scene
“It is now time (…) for our country to unite,” he told his supporters gathered in a festive atmosphere in Des Moines, the capital of this Midwestern state. Then he launched into a presentation of his electoral program, pledging if elected to “close the border” with Mexico and drill more oil wells. Even though it has less than 1% of the population of the United States, Iowa has held a special place on the American political scene for more than 50 years because it sets the first tone in the primary season.
This moment of truth weighs heavily: if the former president had not obtained the announced victory in Iowa, his image of invincibility risked being damaged for the rest of the race. Starting next week, the highly orchestrated ballet of the primaries will take the candidates to New Hampshire, before, in turn, each of the 50 states votes until June.
In line of sight, the national convention in July which will officially nominate the Republican presidential candidate. Even Joe Biden admitted it in a message calling for donations: Donald Trump has become “the clear favorite of the other camp at this point”. Another issue in the Iowa ballot: second place.
Ron DeSantis in second place
It is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a forty-year-old conservative with shocking positions on immigration or abortion, who occupies it with 21% of the vote. He had bet everything on Iowa, traveling in recent months to each of the 99 counties. He savored his score in front of his supporters whom he thanked for their support while “everyone was against us” and the media “wrote our obituary a few months ago”.
Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, the only woman in the race, came third with 19% but did not consider herself defeated and predicted that she would do better in other primaries. The fifty-year-old is the new darling of part of the right and is very appreciated, particularly by business circles. Fourth with around 7%, Vivek Ramaswamy announced he was throwing in the towel and called to vote for Donald Trump.
A year punctuated by comings and goings between the courts for Donald Trump
Iowa voters gathered at Iowa schools, libraries and fire stations for the famous “caucuses,” or election meetings. After a prayer and a recitation of the traditional pledge of allegiance to the American flag, representatives gave a speech in favor of their candidate before participants wrote their choice on a piece of paper.
Allan Latcham, a 62-year-old voter and cardiologist, admits to having been “surprised” by the speed of the announcement of the results. “It’s a great night,” he rejoiced, saying he wanted Mr. Trump “to return to Washington” because “he’s going to help with the border.” Immigration is one of the subjects that most mobilizes Republicans.
Donald Trump wants to knock out the competition at all costs to ensure his victory before his criminal trials begin – some of which put him at risk of prison. The Republican will experience an extraordinary year in every way, punctuated by comings and goings between the courts and the platforms of meetings. On Tuesday, he could also attend a trial which opens in New York. He is being sued for the second time in civil court, for defamation, by an author who has already had him convicted in 2023 for sexual assault.
Joe Biden certainly candidate for the Democrats
And the Democrats? Already strong in the official support of his party, outgoing President Joe Biden should, barring any major surprises, be designated in August as their candidate. And this despite repeated criticism of the age of the octogenarian leader.
In Iowa, a last-minute unknown factor disrupted the equation for all the candidates: the cold. The state was hit by a snowstorm and the thermometer was close to -30°C at the time of the vote, with icy roads.